Van Herwerden did make at least some of the frames they sold. This is an ad from december 1979. Says Ton van Herwerden is the frame builder of these two.
(Sorry about the picture quality, but the scanner's on the blink.)

Now that's very interesting. I had been wondering what 'Special Route' on the bottom bracket meant. I figured it had something to do with the routing of the cables, but it didn't really make sense. It didn't occur to me that it is the name of the frame model.

Probably not a Presto built Presto. Seems to lack all the usual nifty little Presto details. Looks like a Belgian built, generic Colnago clone frame, so many were used in Holland and Belgium, late 70s, early 80s. I've had a few, very attractive bike this one. Can you show more deatils? Does it have Englsih threaded bb?

Now that's very interesting. I had been wondering what 'Special Route' on the bottom bracket meant. I figured it had something to do with the routing of the cables, but it didn't really make sense. It didn't occur to me that it is the name of the frame model.

Any change my bike could have been build by van Herwerden himself?

That appears to be not unlikely. PM me with details like the framenumber and Ill try to find out.

The receipt of my 1975 Presto Tour Speciaal mentions 1498,50 guilders. The description only mentions a frame + fork. 1500 guilders is A LOT of money for a frameset only back in 1975. I am wondering whether the receipt weren't for the full bike. Anyone who shopped there at the time with an opinion on this?

Now that's very interesting. I had been wondering what 'Special Route' on the bottom bracket meant. I figured it had something to do with the routing of the cables, but it didn't really make sense. It didn't occur to me that it is the name of the frame model.

Special Route in this case means that it's build for road racing (as opposed to dedicated crit geometry in the bike above it in the add).

Pass the Dutchie on the non-drive side.
Everything in life is about bikes. Except bikes, bikes are about power.

That appears to be not unlikely. PM me with details like the framenumber and Ill try to find out.

I've looked everywhere, but I have not been able to find a serial number. I checked the bottom bracket as well as the rear dropouts. The guy I bought it from claimed the frame to be from 1986. I forgot to ask him how he knew this, since he told me he bought the bike for the Campagnolo components. He either knew it from the previous owner or he just guessed. Who knows.

Here are a couple more pictures of two distinct design features of the bike (sorry for the poor quality photos):

The blade shape front fork:

And the heart cutout in the Cinelli bottom bracket:

I guess it's also worth mentioning that the front and rear dropouts are Campagnolo.

I've looked everywhere, but I have not been able to find a serial number. I checked the bottom bracket as well as the rear dropouts. The guy I bought it from claimed the frame to be from 1986. I forgot to ask him how he knew this, since he told me he bought the bike for the Campagnolo components. He either knew it from the previous owner or he just guessed. Who knows.

Here are a couple more pictures of two distinct design features of the bike (sorry for the poor quality photos):

The blade shape front fork:

And the heart cutout in the Cinelli bottom bracket:

I guess it's also worth mentioning that the front and rear dropouts are Campagnolo.

Please take the trouble to check the threading of the bb. if its Italian Im pretty sure its itaalian build.

I got the Presto from a older guy near Amsterdam who lives on a houseboat. Recording to the friend of mine who picked up the bike for me, the seller claimed to be the only owner and said that back in the day he was friends with the people at Presto (in Amsterdam). After the bike arrived at my place, i tried to contact the seller again for some more information, but i never got an answer from him.

My latest Dutch addition to the scuderia: a Blom with an interesting paint job.

Blom is an LBS in the Amsterdam area. Story that came with the bike (from the second owner) is that mr Blom made this bike for himself. He probably took off most of the original parts and replaced them with Shimano Exage before selling it. Judging by the headset it was originally equiped with Dura Ace.

Still need to find out who built the frame, but with columbus DO's, a Cinelli spoiler BB shell and the little hanger on the top tube it is a nice frame anyway.

My latest Dutch addition to the scuderia: a Blom with an interesting paint job.

Blom is an LBS in the Amsterdam area. Story that came with the bike (from the second owner) is that mr Blom made this bike for himself. He probably took off most of the original parts and replaced them with Shimano Exage before selling it. Judging by the headset it was originally equiped with Dura Ace.

Still need to find out who built the frame, but with columbus DO's, a Cinelli spoiler BB shell and the little hanger on the top tube it is a nice frame anyway.

Very nice frame. The exage, not so much. I restored a bike with it last year, and while it looks futuristic and flashy and functions fine, it lacks the luster that a nice campy group or DA has. BTW is Blom connected to the Blom shop from Leusden? the owner puts on some very nice vintage stuff on marktplaats from time to time, I believe...

Pass the Dutchie on the non-drive side.
Everything in life is about bikes. Except bikes, bikes are about power.

Very nice frame. The exage, not so much. I restored a bike with it last year, and while it looks futuristic and flashy and functions fine, it lacks the luster that a nice campy group or DA has. BTW is Blom connected to the Blom shop from Leusden? the owner puts on some very nice vintage stuff on marktplaats from time to time, I believe...

Agree on the Exage. It's pretty good stuff, but it does not belong on this frame. I have a DA group sitting on my Cannondale runabout that I might put on this bike. Frame carries a sticker "Sjaak Blom", of the Blom & Blom in Mijdrecht and Uithoorn, I think. No connection to Leusden that I know of.

As some of you know, I have moved from the Netherlands to Thailand earlier this year. Since then I have tried to invade Thailand with Dutch bikes, with some success.

Thailand has a growing number of cycling enthusiasts more so mtb-ers, no that much roadies. And a lot of fixie people of course.
And also people that like classsic steel, fortunately. Not much knowledge, everybody seems to want a Colnago or a Eddy Merckx, and preferably a track frame. Which I dont have!

So far I have found new owners for a Gazelle Champion Mondial Team frame, a Gazelle CM AB-frame, a Gazelle CM AA-Special complete bike, a Sirocco complete bike, a Koga Miyata FullPro frame, a Van Tuyl Quattro frame (made in Italy of course). Besides that two Diamant (Belgium) complete bikes, and two U. Scanini (Belgium) frames. The Thai people I have to got to know better (and very nice people they are) contact me with questions sometime, and also want more bikes/frames! But I am all out of small sizes really, not ready yet to sell my beloved bikes that fit me ...

My latest Dutch addition to the scuderia: a Blom with an interesting paint job.

Update on the Blom: I spoke with mr Blom today. He remembered this bike ("oh, that's a veeeery old bike!''). This bike belonged to one of his mechanics, who persuaded him to sponsor his cycling ambitions in 1995. As part of the deal his Italian frame (''possibly a Concorde") was repainted in its current Blom livery, and named after its owner, who was apparently nicknamed ''the beast'' by his colleagues.

My daily ride is a Batavus, Marin (steel & carbon) only rode it a few times since I came back from the island. Dahon single spd. that's been all over the world with me. 1930's Hercules I'm trying to gather parts to restore it. A Royal Enfield.

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Originally Posted by steinbra

Its a lovely bike anyhow! In great condition too! Question: Anyone have any tip on how to do that handlebartape ending with the thread instead of ugly electrotape?

It is the same as wrapping the eyelets on a fishing rod. If you look up rod building you may find a tutorial that shows how. It's to hard to explain in words. A good search should net a tutorial with pictures I bet.